Acetylene-gas generator.



No. 892,573. PATENTED JULY 7, 1908. G. W. BECK.

AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR. APPLICATION TILED 00T.26, 1904. RENEWED NOV. 8, .1901.

3 BHEETBBHEET 1.

W V w v Q/v-L tmeooeo I 0. W. BECK.

AGETYLENB GAS GENERATOR.

APPLIO ATION FILEDIOOTJG, 1904. RENEWED NOV. 8, 1907.

PATENTED JULY '7, 1908.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No. 892,573. PATENTED JULY 7, 1908. G. W. BECK.

AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED 0OT.26, 1,904 RENEWED NOV. 8, 1907.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Jag 4 CHARLES W. BECK, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ACETYLENE-GAS GENERATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 7, 1908': 1

Application filed October 26, 1904, Serial N0. 230,002. Renewed November8, 1907. Serial No. 401,828.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that 1, CHARLES W. BECK, a citizen of the United States, residin at Man.- hattan, city, county, and State of ew York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Acetylene-Gas Generators, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View on the line II of Fi .2, of the generator in the form of a vehic e lamp; Fig. 2 a side elevation thereof; Fig. 3 a vertical central section showing the feed mechanism depressed; Fig. 4 a horizontal sectional view taken on the line IVIV of Fig. land showing the flexible s lit diaphra m; and Fig. 5 a'similar View of t e water ho lder.

The main objects of this invention are to produce a carbid feed generator or lamp of simple construction especially adapted for use upon vehicles; to provide such a generator with a tubular feed device through which carbidmay be fed to the water holder; to provide means to prevent water splashing up into the feed mechanism; to form a protected water compartment to receive the carbid; and to provide means for cleaning the interior of said tubular feed plunger during each reciprocation thereof, said cleaning device forming a flexible liquid-tight closure valve which prevents the passage of carbid through the plunger except when said plunger is depressed, and, when the plunger is raised, seals the water and carbid chambers and prevents entrance of moisture into the carbid chamber.

Other im ortant objects and advantage will appear ereinafter.

Referring to the various parts by numerals 1 desi nates the water holder, and 2 the carbid ho der, this latter part carrying'the feed mechanism. The lower part of the carbid holder is contracted, as at 5, to reduce the gas space therein and to give it a pleasing appearance; and to the lower end of this reduced part is secured a threaded ring 3 which engages a correspondingly threaded ring 4 permanently secured to the topof the water holder and detachably connects the two parts. Across the upper end of the carbid holder a suitable distance below its top is rigidly secured a horizontal partition 6; and just above the contracted part 5 is'rigidly secured the downward and inward inclined bottom 7, the inner end of this bottom extending downward Vertically to form the flange 8. The s ace below the bottom 7 forms a gas cham er.

Within the compartment 9 formed above the partition 6 is arranged a flexible gas bag. 10 which is formed with a central aperture in its lower wall which registers with a corresponding aperture in the partition. Extending through: these registering aperturesis a threaded ring 11 provided at its upper end with a horizontal flan e 12 which rests on the. inner surface of t e lower wall of the gas bag. Secured to the lower end of this threaded ring or nipple is the upper threaded end of a depending housing 13 which bears against the under side of the partition 6. Secured to the upper wa'llof the gas bag is a depending tubular valve rod 14 extending. centrallyv through the housing. 13, its-lower end PIOJGCtiDg below said housin and carrying. the outward and downward extendin arms 15.1 Tothe lower ends of these arche I armsis rigidly secured, or formed integral therewith, a'tubular feed plunger 16, said plun er being concentric withthe flange 8 of the bottom and in substantially the same horizontalplane. This plunger is threaded exteriorly and screwed onits upper end is a ring 17 towhich the inner edge of a'ring-like flexible diaphragm 18 is ermanently secured. The outer edge of t is diaphragm is, permanently secured to the exterior of a ring 19 which is secured to the exterior of the flange 8.

Within the tubular valve rod is loosely mounted a bar 20 which-is provided at its lower end with a disk 21 of rubber or other suitable material, whose periphery is flexible and is adapted to fit closely within the tubular feed plunger and to serve as aliquid-tight closure therefor and as a means for oleanm same as said plunger is reciprocated. The ro 20 withinthe tubular housing is provided with suitable collars 20 to hold it centrally therein, and with the lateral finger 22 which extends outward througha slot 23 in the tubular valve rod and is adapted to' engage stops 24 formed on the interior of the tubular housing, one of said stops being located a shortdistance above the other to permit the.clo--. sure device to have ashort vertical move& ment withthe feed plunger.

Secured to the u per end of the valve rod is one end of a-coi ed contractile spring 25,

the lower end of said spring being connected to a sleeve 26 which is provided at its lower to normally collapse the 'gas bag and to depress the feed plunger sufliciently to carry its upper edge below the closure and cleaning device'21, to thereby permit carbid to flow down through said plunger. The pressure of the gas in, the gas bag will extend the s ring and lift the plunger until the arms 1% contact with the lower end of the housing 13. During the upward movement of the plunger the finger 22 of the closure rod will contact with the upper stop 24 of the housing and prevent a further upward movement of the rod and cause the disk 21 to enter the feed plunger and clean the same and at the same time prevent the passage of carbid therethrough until the plunger is again lowered by the spring 25 colla sing the gas bag. During the first part of t e descent of the plunger the closure disk moves therewith until finger 22. contacts with lower sto 24.

f Secured to the lower end of the tu ular feed plunger is a de ending tubular s reader '29, whose lower en extends nearto t e bottom of the gas chamber of the carbid holder.

Extending elow the 3, a suitable distance, so as to project down into the water holder when the arts are assembled, is an extension 30 of t e as chamber. -Secured of this extension by means of suitable clamping rings, is a horizontal flexible diaphragm 31 formed of rubber or other suitable material. This dia- .phra m is formed of a -plurality of flaps whic and form ayie normall lie in'a horizontal position lding closure, said flaps being formed by slitting the diaphra m radially, as at 32. This dlaphragm is a apted to be engaged by the tubular spreader when the feed plunger is depressed, said spreader forcin e flaps downward so that the carbid fafiing through the feed plunger may pass down through the spreader 29 below the diaphragm and into the water. As soon as the spreader is'raised by the pressure of the gas in the gas holder the flaps of the diaphragm will return to their normal position, closing the lower end of the gas chamber and preventing the water being splashed therein by reason of the jolting or vibrating of the vehicle on which the lamp or generator may be placed. By em oying the tubular spreader the carbid is gui ed in its descent and its passage down through the split dia hragm is assured. Openings 3O are forme in the extension 30 to permit any as which may accumulatein the water hol or to pass into the gas s ace of the oarbid holder. When the carbi holder is secured to the water holder.

the split diaphragm.31 is practically at the compartment around the screens.

said diaphragm practically resting on the top of the water.

By placing the s lit diaphragm 31 near the norma water leve in the generating chamber or water holder the sections thereof, formed by s litting the diaphragm as described, will e forced down into the water when the feed plunger is de ressed. In their depressed position they orm a compartment within the water which will be protected to a large extent from the agitation or movement of the water in the balance of the water holder. This is of great advantage in thatit aids materially in preventing water s lashing up to the feed mechanism. It will a so be noted that the tubular spreader will enter the water below the diaphragm and form still another or inner protected compartment in which the water will be comparatively free from motion. It is essential that the water directly below the feed mechanism be comparatively motionless during the feeding of carbid.

In the water holder axially in line with the feed plunger is mounted a vertical post 33.

Adapted to slide on this post is a float 34 whose up or surface inclines outward and downwar Secured to this float slightly above its upper surface are a series of horizontal screens 35, said-screensbeing arallel with each other and separated s ightly. They are supported on the top of the float by means 0 small arms or posts 36. Se-

cured to the float and surrounding the screens are a plurality of deflectors 37 which incline outward and downward' The upper edge of the up er deflector is above the u per screen an bears directly against tfl under side of the diaphragm 31 and serves to normally hold the flaps of the diaphragm in a horizontal position..'

The float by raising the deflectors and screens assists the flaps of the screen to return to their normal horizontal osition. It is obvious that when the tubu ar spreader depresses the members of the diaphragm it will also force downward the screens and the float and that when the gas pressure raises the feedplunger and the spreader the float will carry the screens upward. This vertical movement of the screens will cause all the lime to pass downward through them into the water holder.

The lower edgeof the 11 per deflector overlaps the upper edge'of t e lower deflector, the lower deflector extending inside of the upper one, as shown. It is obvious that the screens will, to a great extent, prevent water splashing up into the spreader, and it is the purpose of the deflectors to prevent water splashing on or through-the .screens, said deflectors forming practically a protected It is of course necessary that suitable water-ways or passages be formed between the float and the l lower deflector and between. the adjoining ends of the deflectors in order that during the reciprocation of the float water may pass freely between the deflectors. and screens. to wash out the lime. It is, of course, obvious that during the violent shaking which the lamp will receive when in use, the water will, to a certain extent, be forced between the deflectors and through the screens. This movement of the water will materially assist in keeping the screens and deflectors tree t lime and residue. It will thus be seen that a: small rotected waiter compartment will betormed at each descent of the spreader and that the carbid will be delivered into. this. compartment. It will also be noted. that this compartment is. destroyed as soon as sufiicient gas is. generated to infiatet. he gas ho der and that heneatterthe algitation ot the water in the water holder wi cleanthe screens and deflectors. and. that a freshsupply. of water will be in the protectedcompantment at the next descent of the spreader.

The operation ot the apparatus. may be briefly described as.follows:-'In starting the; generation of gas the stopnut. 43 will. berun. up the screw 44. sufficiently to permit the s rin 25 to. depress the-feed! plunger below the c osure device 21 and: to carry the tubullar spreader down into contact with thespli'i diaphragm 31'. press the members of the diaphra and; separate them to form a rotecte water' com artment, as shown in. .igi. will owthroughthe plungenandthes reader device end drop into the water in e pro tected compartment. The gas generated will flow upward through. the spreader and plunger into the carbid, holder and thence; throu h the filter- 45 into the as bag; 10. 'lhe pressure of. gas.: therein will, when; it overcomes the tension; of. the spring 25. raise the plunger andispreaden-device until; the closure device 21 enters-the plunger and; stops the flow of oarbid. When the spreaderr has been-raised outof the water. inthe water holder and the closure device hesentered T the feed plunger; there will beanequelizae tion of; gas ressure throughoutthes para.- tus below t e feedplunger; When-te gas pressure in the gas older 10 has been sufficiently reducedlthe spring 25 .willegain.de press the plunger and spreader. Gaspasses rom the top-0t the-carbid-holderthrou h. the filterA-l, into pipe 39.;and thence to the burner.

The-burneris'located within a suitable reflector head,138\ and. is oonnectedv by a. pipe 3.9, to the interiorof the-carbidholder, SBJCl pipe being carried by the plug 49. which is screwed into. the side of, the-carbidholder. Surrounding; this pipe; within. the; oarbid holder is a filter. 41. of felt, orother fibrous;- material; The screw plug 40 is-of.-su.ch size: that by removing it firomthe casing. th

T spr ader will i an-bid.- i

filter me be withdrawn from the carb-id holder. he pipe 39 is formed in twosections which are connected by a coupling 42, in order that said sectionsmay be disconnected when the c'arbid hopper. is removed from the water holder.

When it is desired to stop the generation of gas the teed plunger israised by means of a t umb nut 43, which bears a ain-st the top of' the carbid holder and is threaded on a screw 44 connected to the feed plunger;

-When it is desired to start the generation oi gas it is simply necessary to run the thumb nut up the screw 44 and permit the spring. 25 to collapse the gas bag and depress the feed plunger.

Near its upper end the housing. 13 is perforated and over these perforations is secured a fibrous filter. 45, this filter being spaced; out from the exterior of the housing by means ofa spacing ring. 46- secured to-the housing below the perforations. The ur-- pose of: this filter isto prevent lime and other lrlrlipurities being carried into the gas bag by t e ga I desire it understood; that I'do not wish to-l'imit myselt to the precise construction end. arrangement of parts herein described as many chan .es may be made therein with- ;out. departing romthe scope of the invention. Having;thus described my invention what claim as new and. desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-:'

p 1. An acetylene gas 5a.. water holder,

"enerator comprisin a carbid holder provide Swith a dischar e opening in its bottom, atubular feed p unger working in the dis- Foherge opening. and through which carbid iflows from its upperto its lower end, means :operated by gas pressure. for. reciprocatin 5 :said plunger to control the flow of carin ;thenethrough, and means; for: cleaning. the interior; of said feed plunger as the'same reoiprocates, said means fitting the'int'erior. of is-sid feed plunger during a, portion of its movement.

2. Anacetylene gas enerator. comprisin a water holder, a car id holder: provided: with a disohar e opening'in its bottom; a tubulsr; feed p unger working. in the discharge opening and through which carbid flowsfrom its upper to its lower; end, means for-reciprocating said plungerto controlthe flow of carbid. therethrough and aclosure device: adapted to fit within said plunger. as.- thesame reciprocates to stop the flow of cerbid, said closure device engaging the plunger during a portion of its movement.

3;.- Anacetylene: gas. generator comprisin a. water holder, a. carhidholden provide with. a dischar e-opening. in its bottom, a; tubular: feed p unger: working in the dischargeopening. and through which carbid; flowsirom its-u perto its: owerrend, and-a flexibleclosure. evioe; adapted to enter the is;

5. Anacetylene gas 45 through t ow of carbid therethrough and to clean the interior thereof. i

4. An acetylene gas generator comprisin 5 a water holder, a carbi holder formed Wit a discharge opening, a tubular feed plunger, I a flexible diaphragm connected to -'said plunger and -to the bottom of the carbid older and closing thedischarge opening,

means for reciprocating the plunger to control the flow of carbid therethrough, and a closure device adapted to fit within the plunger as the same is raised to stop the'discharge of carbid. J

enerator comprlsmg a water holder, a carbid holder formed with aldischa'r e opening, a tubular feed lunger working t rough said opening, a fleXi le diahragm secured to the lunger'and to the bottom of the carbid ho der, means for re ci rocating the plunger to control the flow o carbid, and means for cleaning the interior of the said feed plunger as same reciprocates';

6. An acetylene gas enerator comprising a water holder, a carbi holder formed with a discharge opening at its bottom, a tubular feed plunger working through said opening a flexible dia hragm connected to said feed.

lunger an to the bottom of the carbid older, means operated by variations in gas ressure' to reciprocate said lunger, an a exible disk closure device a apted to enter the plunger when the sameis raised to stop 5 the flow of carbid and clean the interior of the plunger.

7. In an acetylene gas generator a diaphragm vforming a support upon which the carbid is ada ,ted to rest and provided with 40 a permanent y open feed passage therethrough, feed mechanism operatedby changes in gas. pressure and connected to said d1aphragm to bodily reciprocate a portion around the feed 0 ening whereby the flow of carbid he feed opening is controlled, and a closure device adapted to enter said feed 0 ening when the diaphragm is raised to stop t e discharge of carbid;

8. In anacetylene gas generator a diaphragm formed with a feed opening, mechanlsm operated by-changes in gas pressure to bodily move that vportion of the diaphragm surroundin thefeed opening whereby the flow of car id through vthe feed opening is controlled, and a closure device adapted to enter the feed opening during the reciprocation of the diaphragmto stop the flow of carbid therethrough.

9. An acetylene gas generator comprising i a water holder, a carb1d holder, a tubular feed plunger at the bottom of the carbid holder, means for reciprocating said lunger to control the flow of carbid, and a re atively stationary device for cleaning the; interior of said feed plunger as the same reciprocates.

lunger as the same is raised to stop'the whereby '10. An acetylene gas generator comprising a water holder, a carb1d holder, a tubular feed plunger at the bottom of the carbid holder, means for reciprocating said lunger to control the flow of carbid, and a re atively stationary device provided with a yielding perilphery adapted to enter the feed plunger as t e same reciprocates to clean the interior of said lunger and stop the flow of carbid.

11. n acetylene as enerator comprising a water holder, a car id older above the water holder, an expansible gas-bag near the top of the carbid holder, a tubular feed plun er at the bottom of the carbid holder, a va ve rod connecting said tubular plun or to the movable wall of the gas holder, a c osure device supported by said valve rod, said closure device being adapted to enter the plunger when the same is raised to "stop the flow of carbid therethrough, and means whereby the plunger may move independent of the closure device. a

12. An acetylene gas generator comprising water holder, an ex ansible as ba near the top of the carbid ho der, a tu ular eed lunger at the bottom of the carbid hol er, a valve rod connecti said-tubular plunger to the movable will closure device supported by said valve rod, said closure device being adapted to enter the lunger when the same is raised to stop the ow of carbid therethrough, and mears the closure device may move a short distance with the plunger and will then bearrested and held stationary during the remainder of the movement of the plunger. 13. An acetylene gas generator comprising a water holder, a carb1d holder, a tubular feed plunger in communication at its u per end with the bottom of the carbid ho der, means for reci rocating said plunger to control the flow of carbid, a relatively stationary device for cleaning the interior of said. feed plunger as the same reciprocates, a yieldable iaphragm below the plunger and closing the passage from the carbid holder to the water holder," and means carried .by the tubular feed plunger for moving a art of said diaphragm to permit the carbid to pass into the water holder. r

14. An acetylene gas generator comprising a water holder, a carb1d holder, a tubular feed plunger in communication at its up er end with the bottom of the carbid hol er, means for reci rocating said plunger to con trol the flow o carbid, a relatively stationary device for cleaning the interior of said feed plu er as the same reciprocates, a split yieldable diaphragm below the plunger and I closing the passage from the carbid holder to said diaphragm to ermit the carbid to pass into the water hol er.

'a water holder, a carb1d holder above the Y of the gas holder, a

, trol the flow o carbid, a relatively stationary device for cleaning the interior of said feed gllunger as the same reciprocates, a yieldable 'aphragm below the plunger and closing the passage from the carbid holder to the water older, and a tubular spreader carried by the feed plunger for moving a art of said diaphragm to permit the carbi to pass into thewater holder, said spreader being open at its ends to permit the carbid to flow therethrou'gh into the water holder below the split diaphragm.

16. In an acetylene generator the combination with a generating chamber, of a flexible dia hragm located substantially at the level 0 the water in the generating chamber and formed of a plurality of sections adapted to be forced downward into the water, for the purpose set forth, and a tubular spreader device adapted to engage the sections of the diaphragm atseparated points to depress the same. i

17. In a carbid feed acetylene generator, the combination with a generating chamber provided with an inlet passage throu h which carbid is fed, of a diaphragm-1i e screen extending across said assage substantially at the water level in t e enerating chamber, said screen being forme of a pluralit of sections adapted to be forced dOWD- War into thewater to permit the carbid to pass therethrough and to thereby form a protected compartment in the water to receive the carbid and then automatically return to their normal horizontal position to prevent the water splashing up to the feed mechanism, and a tubular spreader device adapted to engage the diaphragm sections at separated oints to depress the same.

18. n an acetylene gas generator the combination with a generating chamber, a feed mechanism operating in response to changes in gas pressure tofeed carbid to said generating chamber, a diaphragm-like screen located at the level of the water in the generating chamber and formed of a plurality of flexible sections which normally close the entrance to the generating chamber, a tubular spreader device moved by the feed mechanism and adapted to engage the diaphragm sections at separated points and depress them during the feeding of'carbid.

'19. An acetylene-gas generator comprising a water holder, a carbid holder, a feed mechanism, a flexible normally closed dia hragm between the water holder and the fee mechanism, means carried by the feed mechanism to open the diaphragm when the carbidis fed, and a vertically movable screen below the normally closed diaphragmand adapted to be depressed when said diaphragm" is opened, and means yieldably supporting said screen.

20. An acetylene gas generator comprising a water holder, a carbid holder, a feed mechanism, a flexible normally closed diaphragm below the feed mechanism and at the normal water level in the water holder, means carried by the feed mechanism to depress the diaphragm and open it when feedin carbid, a float within the water holder directly below the diaphragm, a screen carried by said float, between the float and the diaphragm.

21. An acetylene as'generator comprising a water holder, a car id holder, a feed mechanism, a flexible normally closed diaphragm below the feed mechanism and at the normal water level in the water holder, means carried by the feed mechanism to depress the diaphragm and open it when feedin carbid, a float within the water holder. directly below the diaphragm, a screen carried by said float between the float and the diaphragm, a plurality of downwardly enlarging deflectors carried by the float and surrounding the screen.

22. An acetylene gas generator comprising a water holder, a carbid holder, a feed mechanism, a split diaphragm at the normal-water level in the water holder, a tubular spreader carried by the feed mechanism and adapted to depress and open the diaphragm directly below the diaphragm, a float in the water holder, and a screen carried by said float, between the float and the diaphragm.

23. In an acetylene gas generator the combination of a generatin chamber provided with an inlet through which carbid is fed, a flexible normally closed screen extending across said inlet substantially at the water level in the generating chamber, a feed mechanism operating in response to changes in gas pressure to feed carbid, and a tubular spreader moved by said feed mechanism and adapted to engage the screen sections and force them downward into the water in the generating chamber during the feeding of carbid.

24. A carbid feed acetylene generator comprising a carbid holder, a water holder,

a feed mechanism acting in response to changes in gas pressure, means actuated by said feed mechanism to form a smallprotected water compartment inv the main water holder having a perforated bottom wall and adapted to receive each charge of carbid as it is dropped.

25. A carbid feed acetylene generator comprising a carbid holder, a water holder, a feed mechanism acting in response to changes in gas pressure, means actuated by the feed mechanism to form a temporary and collapsible supplemental protected water compartment m the main water holder to receive each deposit of carbid, and consisting of side and bottom walls.

a feed mechanism acting in response to means actuated by changes in gas pressure,

a protected the feed mechanism to form water compartment in the water holder,

said compartment having movable sides and a erforated movable bottom, and means to co apse and destroy said compartment when the feedin of carbid is stopped.

27'. A carbid f eed acetylene gas generator comprising a water holder, 9. feed mechanism acting in response. to changes in gas pressure, a float in the water holder and adapted to be depressed by the feed mechanism and means carried by saidfloat to form a protected water com artment which is in communication with the main water holder.

28. A carbid feed acetylene generator comprising a carbid holder, a water holder, a feed mechanism acting inresponse to changes in gas pressure, means within the main water holder to form a supplemental movable water compartment to receive carbid as it is dropped, said compartment consisting of side and bottom walls, said supplemental com artment being in communication throug its side wall and bottom with the main water holder, the walls of the supplemental compartment being arranged to prevent the water in the. main water holder agitating the water in the supplemental compartment when the lamp is vibrated.

29. A carbid feed acetylene 'gasgenerator comprising a carbid holder, a water holder, a pressure-controlled feed mechanism, a float within the water holder, down ward and outward inclined shields carried by said float, the adjoinin ends of said shields overla pin one wit in the other, and means w hereiy the feed mechanism will depress said float and said shields will form t e side walls of a protected water compartment.

30. A carbid feed acetylene gas generator comprising a carbid holder, a water holder,

a pressure controlled feed mechanism, a float in the main water holder, downwardly of one shield extending into the shie and adapted to fit within the uppermost shield and to depress the float during the feeding of carbid.

comprising a carbid holder, a water holder, a feed mechanism acting in response to changes in gas pressure, means actuated by said feed mechanism to form a' protected water com artment in the main water holder having a ottom wall and adapted to receive each charge of carbid as it is dropped.

33. Acarbid feed acetylene gas generator a feed mechanism acting in res onse to changes in gas pressure, a depen ing part carried by the feed mechanism and extending below the carbid'holder, and means temporary, partially closed well the water holder during the feeding operation and when the'feed mechanism is depressed.

signature in t e. presence of two witnesses this 7th day of October 1904.

. CHARLES W. BECK.

Witnesses LOUIS HARTMANN,

LOUIS HUEBNER.

and outwardly inclined tubular open-ended shields carried by said float, the upper end above, screens within said shields and a tubular device carried by the feeding mechanism comprising a carbid holder, a water holder,-

31. A carbi feed acety ene gas generator comprising a carbid holder, a waterwholder,

32. A carbid feed acetylene generator 1 actuated by said depending part to forma In testimon whereof I hereunto affix my 

